My GreenPan review has been a long time in the making — over a decade, to be more specific. Back before non-toxic and eco-conscious cookware buzzwords were everywhere from Williams Sonoma to Target, GreenPan was already on the front lines of green kitchenware innovation. GreenPan’s non-toxic ceramic cookware has made the company a true industry leader in sustainable products that are built to last.
A Short History of GreenPan
GreenPan was launched in 2007 by two school friends, Jan Helskens and Wim De Veirman. At the time, the leading nonstick cookware brand was Teflon, made with a PTFE plastic coating, created by Dupont in 1946. What most consumers don’t know is that Teflon (and nearly all traditional nonstick cookware, for that matter) is made with a plastic coating containing toxic PFAS chemicals, which releases harmful toxins when overheated.
Helskens and De Veirman set out to develop a non toxic, non-stick alternative: Thermolon. GreenPan became the first cookware brand to introduce non-toxic, nonstick cookware free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
PFAS chemicals are now synonymous with the infamous ‘forever chemicals’ (more on that below, keep reading!) that are polluting our environment and harming humans and animals worldwide.
We do our best to shout out any seasonal sales where Organic Authority readers can save big on non-toxic cookware brands. Sign up for the newsletter here to never miss an exclusive sale.
After 10+ Years of Rigorous Testing, GreenPan Still Comes Out on Top
As the founder of Organic Authority and a culinary school grad, I was one of the first to write about non-toxic, nonstick cookware years ago. Since then, I’ve tested an extensive list of GreenPan’s cookware sets (some of which they don’t even sell anymore!). Of their current available cookware sets, I’ve tested the Venice Pro Noir, Valencia Pro (including the new Stainless Steel Pro edition), GP5, GP5 Stainless Steel, and The Reserve collection.
I’ve cooked everything in these pans, including my morning eggs, oatmeal (watch how to make the perfect oatmeal every time), salmon, veg, sauces, pasta, grass-fed meats, soups, stews, pancakes and more. All that to say — I’d consider myself pretty well-qualified to share my GreenPan cookware review.
My mother, who lives with me, has also been using these pans for years. Fun fact: she refuses to use silicone or wooden utensils when she cooks, and although I wouldn’t recommend following in her footsteps, these pans have stood up well to her metal utensil use.
Why We’re Qualified to Review GreenPan
We at Organic Authority like to think that just like GreenPan, we were on the non-toxic train before it was cool, too. We’ve spent over 20 years doing deep dives into topics like the best non-toxic cookware, the best non-toxic bakeware, and, to cover all bases, the top ceramic cookware sets.
By deep dives, we mean researching, reviewing, testing products, and regularly revisiting our articles to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information. You can trust us when we say GreenPan is the non-toxic cookware we always come back to. Need more? We also have a guide on the dangers of PTFE, so yeah, *adjusts glasses,* you could say we know what we’re talking about.
PFAS Chemicals Defined
Ever heard of PTFE, PFOAs, GENX or PFOS? They technically all fall under the PFAS umbrella, along with about 15,000 other chemicals. These PFAS chemicals are also known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they don’t break down in the environment, and can even collect in human blood and organs.1
As you can imagine, there are some serious health risks associated with these chemicals. In fact, when heated above 500 degrees Fahrenheit, PTFE begins to decompose and emit toxic particles and gasses that can lead to flu-like symptoms called polymer fume fever.2 These fumes are potent enough to hospitalize humans and kill pet birds3.
“We’ve created seven generations of Thermolon, each a culmination of years of study and experience. We hold over 150 patents for technological advancements designed to make cooking easier and better for everyone. We also have a dedicated in-house testing lab, in addition to our third-party testing lab, that compares our innovations with other products on the market — so we know for a fact our technology makes our pans better.”
Madison Oakley from the GreenPan Team
Why the PFOA-Free Label Is Misleading
Many consumer brands claim they’re PFOA-free, but that’s a pretty misleading label because it doesn’t include all of the other chemicals that are within the PFAS family. PFOAs have actually been phased out for years, so a PFOA-free label really doesn’t mean much. GreenPan is completely free of ALL PFAS chemicals, which is what we should really be looking for.
To give you a sense of how pervasive PFAS chemicals can be — a study performed in 20234 discovered that nearly half of America’s drinking water contained PFAS. The good news is that the United States Government is finally taking steps to combat PFAS pollution. In April of 2024, the Biden Administration issued the first of its kind: a national, enforceable drinking water standard to protect its citizens.
Here’s What Makes GreenPan’s Cookware Safe
Generally speaking, non-toxic cookware today, or clean cookware, is any cookware that doesn’t contain the class of PFAS chemicals found in those traditional PTFE plastic coatings.
The great news is that GreenPan’s cookware is completely PFAS-free and does not contain any lead or cadmium. Their Thermolon coating is made from the same minerals that have been used to make glass and pottery for centuries, AND it doesn’t produce toxic fumes at over 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bonus: these pans take less energy to produce than the old plastic-coated ones, and you use less energy to achieve the same results with your fried eggs and pancakes at home.
Here’s What Thermolon is Made Of
Instead of plastic, the raw materials of Thermolon are derived from sand. Using a proprietary Sol-Gel method, this sand derivative is turned into a solution and sprayed directly onto the pan. This coating then undergoes a sustainable curing process that requires 60 percent fewer CO2 emissions than traditional nonstick methods.
Madison Oakley from the GreenPan team spoke to Organic Authority and told us: “We’ve created seven generations of Thermolon, each a culmination of years of study and experience. We hold over 150 patents for technological advancements designed to make cooking easier and better for everyone. We also have a dedicated in-house testing lab, in addition to our third-party testing lab, that compares our innovations with other products on the market — so we know for a fact our technology makes our pans better.”
GreenPan’s Thermolon Coating: Innovative and Sustainable
Today, GreenPan produces three different types of their proprietary Thermolon coating: The Infinite8 Ceramic Nonstick, Thermolon Advanced, and Thermolon.
The Infinite8 Ceramic Nonstick found on the GP5 collection is their most advanced coating to date (and my personal favorite along with the Valencia Pro). It’s the most durable, and it gets the tick of approval from my mom for being metal utensil safe. It’s worth noting that the Thermolon Advanced coating is also safe for metal utensils, but the standard Thermolon coating is not.
Poor-quality ceramic nonstick can wear out in as little as three months, and it quickly ends up in the landfill after losing its nonstick ability. To disrupt this wasteful cycle, GreenPan has invested heavily in research and design to craft a non-toxic ceramic product that’s far more durable than the rest.
What’s more, GreenPan owns every step of its manufacturing process, which means it can easily adopt environmentally friendly processes without the red tape of a fragmented supply chain.
The Best Cooking Technique for Ceramic Coated Cookware
Because ceramic coated cookware tends to be great at conducting heat, these pans are best used over medium to medium-low heat.
Overheating them can quickly degrade the coating and render it nonstick, shortening the lifespan of the cookware.
“GreenPan makes cookware with strict quality-assurance procedures to ensure the absence of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium and endocrine-disrupting fluorinated compounds from its ceramic nonstick coating.”
Good Housekeeping Judges
Will You Need Oil or Fat to Cook?
Yes, it’s recommended that you use a little bit of your favorite oil or healthy fat when cooking with GreenPan cookware. My recommendation for the best nonstick results is to heat the pan first, then add your oil and let it heat up before adding your food.
The Cleanup
If you’re a person who wants minimal cleanup in the kitchen (don’t we all?), these pans will fit right into your workflow.
Are They Dishwasher Safe?
Most of the collections are, but I recommend hand-washing to get the longest life out of your cookware. High heat temperatures of the dishwasher can quickly degrade the surface of pots and pans and shorten their lifespan.
When used and treated properly, these pans are easy to wash by hand and wipe clean with a little soap and water. Besides, if you’re anything like me, you’ll appreciate having the extra space available in your dishwasher for other dishes.
The Durability
If you follow the guidance of cooking over medium to medium low heat, my advice is to stay away from metal utensils. Although many of GreenPan’s cookware collections are metal utensil safe, I recommend using silicone or wood utensils whenever possible. If you follow that guidance (along with my cleanup recommendations!), these pans will last — I’ve had some of my sets for 3-5 years with no issues.
It’s also worth noting that, like most cookware, over time, depending on the color, cookware line and how you cook, the bottom of your pots and pans may experience some discoloration over time. Above is an image of the bottom of my stainless steel GP5 pan. In my experience, of testing a lot of cookware lines, this is normal wear and tear.
Is GreenPan Cookware Oven Safe?
Depending on which collection you buy, many if not most, are oven safe up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (note that some of the lids are only safe up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, so be sure to check if that’s important to you). Luckily, even if you accidentally overheat these pans, there’s no need to worry about them emitting toxic fumes.
My Favorite GreenPan Sets Reviewed
The GP5 Collection
GreenPan’s newest line, GP5, integrates 15 years of cook-centric innovations to create Infinite8 ceramic, the most advanced ceramic nonstick collection they’ve ever designed. It’s my favorite collection. Why? The GP5 showcases GreenPan’s nonstick innovation at its finest.
One slick feature of the GP5 line is the Balance Pro Base, which offers built-in room for expansion. What does that mean? It means your oil stays put and won’t spill off to the side when cooking (as long as your stove is flat!). That also means you can use less oil. I cook eggs most mornings for breakfast, and I barely need any oil with these pans. I think that’s awesome.
I also love the weight of these pans. The GP5 is a little heavier than most pans on the market, but not too heavy — they feel solid but still easy to maneuver around the kitchen. My mother is older and doesn’t like heavy pans, but even she loves the weight (and my husband agrees, too).
They’re also about twice as thick as most pans, which helps with even heat distribution to ensure there are no hot spots. I love the durability from the extra thickness, too — after using the GP5 for about a year, we don’t have any scratches and they’re still slick. And the opaque stainless steel lids come with steam vents which is great for preventing boiled over messes like oatmeal.
What’s also exciting is that the GP5 now comes in five colors to fit your kitchen design aesthetic. And if you have an induction cooktop, no need to worry about warping with it’s Magento induction technology. What is it? It’s a thick base that prevents warping with copper-reinforced ferromagnetic particles on the bottom of the pan.
Features:
- Stovetop compatibility: Safe for all stovetops including induction.
- Oven safe up to 600F.
- Metal utensil safe
- Infinite8 ceramic nonstick coating, GreenPan’s most advanced to date.
- Silhouette rivets make it harder for food to get trapped in crevices.
- Balance Pro Base helps keep the pan flat while cooking so your oil stays put.
- Dishwasher safe
- Armored body with 5mm thickness for enhanced performance and scratch resistance.
What’s included in a GP5 Infinite8 11-piece set:
- 9.5″ frypan
- 11″ frypan
- 3-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart sauté pan with lid
- 5-quart stockpot with lid
- Plus! 3 silicone utensils + 3 pan protectors
GreenPan has color options galore plus they come out with new colors and limited editions all the time. The GP5 line has a color for every aesthetic.
Price: $515.99 at time of publish
Individual purchase options:
The Valencia Pro Stainless Steel Collection
Not only is the Valencia Pro collection GreenPan’s bestseller, it’s also award-winning. It caught the attention and admiration of Good Housekeeping, earning their 2023 Sustainable Innovations Award. After rigorous testing, the judges raved,
“GreenPan makes cookware with strict quality-assurance procedures to ensure the absence of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium and endocrine-disrupting fluorinated compounds from its ceramic nonstick coating.”
I’ve tested the original collection for years and I agree, it’s a workhorse that deserves the recognition.
The newest release in the collection is the Pro Stainless Steel with the Infinite8 ceramic nonstick surface. This stainless steel is mirror-polished, and it’s quite stunning in person (more so than the images show). They’ve leveled up the durability of these pots and pans with their 3-ply stainless steel bodies and tempered glass lids.
One of my favorite features of the Valencia Pro is the curved handle. It rests comfortably in the palm of the hand and makes it easy to move these pans around the stove and kitchen. I’ve tested everything from my usual morning eggs, to sauteed salmon in these pans, and they’re a pleasure to cook with.
The Stainless Steel is also ideal for searing and browning — my homegrown squash browned easily, giving it that extra layer of texture and flavor that I love. My ultimate test for nonstick cookware is an omelet, and with the Valencia Pro the eggs rolled effortlessly out of the pan.
Features:
- Stovetop compatibility: Safe for all stovetops including induction.
- Oven safe up to 600F (lids up to 425F).
- Infinite8 ceramic nonstick coating, GreenPan’s most advanced to date.
- Mirrored 3-ply stainless steel for a unique shine and extra durability.
- V-shaped handles to minimize heat transfer.
- Metal utensil safe
- Dishwasher safe
What’s included in a Valencia Pro Stainless Steel 10-piece set:
- 8″ frypan
- 10″ frypan
- 1.5-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart sauté pan with lid
- 5-quart stockpot with lid
The gorgeous shine on this GreenPan line will add literal sparkle to your kitchen, not to mention some award-winning performance chops.
Price: $499.99 at time of publish
Individual purchase options:
The Reserve Collection
The Reserve Collection is ideal for those who want a painter’s palette of colors to choose from to fit their kitchen’s design aesthetic. I love The Reserve because it combines performance and style. It’s impossible not to notice its minimalist aesthetic and gold-tone handles. But despite its chic appearance, it’s made with a hard anodized body that makes it durable and scratch-resistant (even from metal utensils!).
The pots and pans also have a smaller profile, which make them ideal for small spaces (or a large space with a cook that just doesn’t want to deal with large pots or pans — we get it). If you love cooking with glass lids, this set could be for you.
Features:
- Stovetop compatibility: Safe for all stovetops, except induction
- Oven safe up to 600F (lids up to 425F)
- Duoforged armored bodies make these durable and scratch-resistant
- Gold-tone handles with a corrosion-resistant PVD finish
- Dishwasher safe
- Diamond-infused ceramic nonstick coating
What’s included in a Reserve 10-piece set:
- 8″ frypan
- 11″ frypan
- 2-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart sauté pan with lid
- 5-quart stockpot with lid
- 3 pan protectors
Can you picture this lovely non-toxic cookware set in your kitchen? At this price, you can go from dream to reality in the blink of an eye (or click of a button). But don’t let the price fool you, this set performs like a dream, too, and is shockingly durable.
Price: $399.99 at time of publish
Other purchase options:
The GP5 Stainless Steel Collection
You already know that the GP5 is a favorite of mine, so it’s no surprise that I love the stainless steel version with champagne gold handles. I love to keep stainless steel pots and pans on hand for any cooking that involves high-heat searing.
These pans are also finished with the Infinite8 ceramic nonstick, which is simply the best nonstick coating I’ve tried from GreenPan. Not only is it metal utensil safe and oven safe up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (a huge deal for nonstick), but its impressive construction also offers maximum heat conduction. The 5-ply stainless steel is made with two layers of stainless steel and a three-layer aluminum core. This translates into even heat conduction and an incredible stovetop experience with no hot spots.
I’ve been using these pots and pans for about a year now, and they really pass the nonstick, scratch-resistant test.
If the 10-piece set is too much of a commitment, you can also get the 8″, 10″ and 12″ frypan set, or just the 10″, 12″ and singles. Your options are endless!
Features:
- Stovetop compatibility: Safe for all stovetops including induction.
- Oven safe up to 600F.
- Metal utensil safe
- Evershine 5-ply stainless steel for extra durability.
- Infinite8 ceramic nonstick coating, GreenPan’s most advanced to date.
- Silhouette rivets make it harder for food to get trapped in crevices.
- Dishwasher safe
What’s included in a GP5 Stainless Steel 10-piece set:
- 8″ frypan
- 10″ frypan
- 2-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart sauté pan with lid
- 5-quart stockpot with lid
- 3 pan protectors
GP5 stainless steel collection comes with either mirror handles, as shown here, or the champagne handles, which you’ll see above.
Price: $699.99 at time of publish
Individual purchase options:
Is GreenPan Worth It?
No matter your budget, GreenPan has options, options, and more options. I recommend sticking with the higher-end collections — in my experience, they last the longest.
If you look at reviews for GreenPan cookware, you’ll always find the complainers who say the pans don’t work, the nonstick coating wore out, they chipped, and so on. What those naysayers don’t tell you is how they cooked with these products.
If they cooked with their pots and pans over high heat, banged them up with heavy metal utensils, and constantly put them in a scalding hot dishwasher again, then all of their complaints would be true. These are the very things that shorten the life of ceramic-coated nonstick cookware. In fact, they’re the exact things GreenPan tells you not to do on their packaging material.
If you cook this way, then I wholeheartedly recommend that you do not buy these pans. However, if you can follow their simple guidelines, you will get a long life out of GreenPan’s cookware.
Depending on how closely you follow the guidelines, it’s definitely possible to get three to five years out of your GreenPan products. I’ve gotten five years out of mine and I’m still using them. Not a bad investment! Plus, once your pans reach their end of life, GreenPan has a recycling program that you can put to use.
Laura’s Cheat Sheet for Cooking with Non-Toxic Nonstick Cookware
As you continue to cruise through GreenPan reviews, you might run into a mention of a class action lawsuit filed against The Cookware Company in 2019. It’s worth noting that the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, which means the claim is permanently dismissed and cannot be brought back again.
Ultimately, GreenPan is one of the few nonstick cookware brands that doesn’t contain any lead, cadmium, or PFAS forever chemicals that are toxic to humans and the environment. Not only that, but there are very few cookware companies on the market that have gone to the lengths that GreenPan has to create a cleaner and sustainable supply chain with reduced emissions.
The bottom line: are they perfect? No. But what company is? I’ve been testing these pots and pans for over 10 years and I continue to be pleasantly surprised by how long their cookware lasts when treated properly. And with GreenPan’s nonstop tech innovation, it’s hard not to be a fan.
Shipping, Returns, and Customer Service
GreenPan offers free shipping on orders over $125 at the time of this update.
They also offer a 60-day return policy, which speaks to their confidence in their products — not all cookware manufacturers offer that.
They even have a customer service number you can call, which seems to be rare in today’s digital world. These days, companies seem to prefer not to talk to their customers. Instead, they send them links to what they think might solve the problem. Spoiler alert: they rarely do, and this creates a frustrating experience that’s rich with friction. In a world of low customer satisfaction and loyalty, I find GreenPan’s approach refreshing and worth mentioning.
GreenPan’s Environmental Stewardship
GreenPan is how transparent they are about their practices. When we reached out, GreenPan happily provided a copy of third-party lab tests, proving their compliance with California’s Prop 65 standards.
GreenPan’s factory runs on 30 percent solar energy, and all of the company’s products are made with recycled aluminum. The company even has its own wastewater treatment plant to ensure they’re being responsible with their water usage.
“We own our factories. We know the DNA of our products,” says Oakley. “We make our coating, we make our pans, and we make sure every product lives up to our standards. We don’t have to wait for the industry to change to do something about it — we are the change.”
In addition to upholding sustainable standards now, the company is always looking for the next step to do better by its consumers and the planet. “We’ve won dozens of awards for our dedication to our workers and the environment,” says Oakley, “but we are always working to make healthy products better for everyone.”
Organic Authority Approved Clean Cookware
Because of GreenPan’s environmental stewardship and their year-over-year improvements in their non-toxic, nonstick cookware, we’re proud to say the brand has earned Organic Authority’s Approved Seal for Clean Cookware. If you want to know more about what that means, check out The Organic Authority Approved Manifesto.
Conclusion
In my experience, when it comes to cookware, you get what you pay for. I’ve bought and tested everything from the low-end cheap cookware to the high-end, well-made cookware, and there’s definitely a difference.
The low-end, cheap cookware just doesn’t last. It burns quickly, carries hot spots that result in burnt, unevenly cooked food, and it ultimately ends up in the trash or recycling bin within a few months. Not a great cooking experience AND a waste of money.
My philosophy is: when it comes to consumer products that you’ll use almost daily, invest in high-quality items. Spending a bit more on cookware upfront usually means you’ll buy less of it — and in the long run, fewer replacements mean you’ll reduce waste and save money. Over time, you can slowly but surely build out a cookware collection that suits your cooking style (and most importantly, that you really love!).
P.S. Did you know? Organic Authority has its own nutrition and wellness shop to meet your needs and help you take control of your health. Shop supplements for energy, sleep, inner beauty for skin support, clean protein, pantry items, and more.
Shop The Organic Authority Shop now.
Did you enjoy this deep dive into GreenPan’s cookware? Subscribe to our newsletter here to get more in-depth info about the topics you care about most.
Read More on Organic Authority
*Our test kitchen independently evaluates and reviews products for the OA community. If you click on the links provided, we may receive compensation which helps keep the lights on. Learn more.
